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The top daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on April 10th, 2019. Justin Bales' MLB DFS analysis and sleepers for building optimal DFS rosters.
There are two decent slates for Wednesday, but we'll only be focusing on one of them. The early slate features four games, which is enough to comfortably player, while the later slate features nine games. With over twice as many games, the late slate is the one we'll be focusing on, and the better fantasy slate regardless.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 4/10/19. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too.
If you have any questions or comments, contact me on Twitter @BalesSJustin.
DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Robbie Ray - P, vs TEX ($9,400)
Ray has gotten off to somewhat of a disappointing start this season, posting an 0-1 record with a 4.36 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP over his first two starts. He has flashed strikeout upside, recording nine strikeouts in only five innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ray has also posted a K/9 over 12.0 in each of his last two seasons, and we can expect that to continue this season. He gets an elite matchup against the Texas Rangers, who have struggled on the road in recent years, and lead the slate in strikeouts per at-bat. Ray is a -138 favorite in a game set at 8.5 runs, and he makes an elite tournament option tonight.
Collin McHugh - P, vs NYY ($8,800)
McHugh has found early success this season, recording a 1-1 record with a 2.46 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP through two starts. He posted an 11.7 K/9 last season, although that was out of the bullpen, and we could see him continue this season with a K/9 north of 10.0. He gets a tough matchup against the New York Yankees, but they are dealing with injuries and will be playing in a pitcher friendly stadium. McHugh is a -123 favorite in a game set at 8 runs, and he's cheap enough to be considered in all leagues on this slate.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Yadier Molina - C, vs LAD ($2,800)
Molina gets a tough matchup against Kenta Maeda tonight, but he's simply mispriced. DraftKings have tightened up their price tags this season, and getting one of the best hitting catchers in the MLB for under $3K is a must, even if he's in a cold slump. Molina is hitting under .200 through 10 games, but he has posted 42% hard-hit and 45% fly ball rates over that span, suggesting he'll see positive regression soon. He's a strong play in both cash games and tournaments because of his price tag.
Chris Davis - 1B, vs OAK ($2,000)
Davis is a free square at the minimum price, regardless of the fact that he doesn't have any hits this season. He's playing in a hitter friendly stadium, while entering this game with 0.049 wOBA and 0.016 ISO differentials against right-handed pitching. He also possesses 46% hard-hit and 38% fly ball rates with a 94 mph exit velocity over the last 10 days. If that isn't enough, Davis gets a great matchup against Frankie Montas tonight. No, Davis is not an elite player, but he's the minimum price, and this will open up more than enough salary to make up for his recent struggles.
Whit Merrifield - 2B, vs SEA ($4,500)
Merrifield has been unstoppable this season, hitting .342 with a .526 slugging percentage and a .901 OPS. On top of four extra-base hits and four RBIs, he boasts three steals, and comes with the green light whenever he gets on base. Merrifield also enters this game with a 52% hard-hit rate and a 95 mph exit velocity over the last 15 days. He also gets a plus matchup against Yusei Kikuchi, and brings 0.065 wOBA and 0.08 ISO differentials against left-handed pitching into this game. Merrifield is leading off for the Kansas City Royals, and he's an elite option tonight.
Travis Shaw - 3B, at LAA ($3,700)
Shaw has struggled early this season, but home runs are coming. He gets a matchup against Felix Pena, and enters this game with 0.09 wOBA and 0.195 ISO differentials against right-handed pitching. He has also posted 45% hard-hit and 40% fly ball rates with a 95 mph exit velocity over the last 10 days. Shaw isn't a safe option, but his struggles have kept his price tag down, and he comes with tremendous upside tonight.
Adalberto Mondesi - SS, vs SEA ($4,400)
Mondesi is the perfect player to pair with Merrifield tonight. He's hitting second in the Kansas City Royals lineup, and he comes with similar upside. He's only hitting .263 to start the season, but he also owns seven extra-base hits, six RBIs, and one steal. Similarly to Merrifield, Mondesi always has the green light while on base, and he'll likely see RBI opportunities with Merrifield on at some point in this game. He's also hitting .385 at home this season, and Mondesi is safe with upside for his price tag.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Andrew McCutchen - OF, vs WAS ($4,300)
McCutchen is only hitting .212 through nine games, but he also owns four extra-base hits (two home runs) and five RBIs. He has flashed some consistency, while also producing upside for his price tag. Most importantly, he gets a plus matchup against Jeremy Hellickson in an extremely hitter friendly stadium. McCutchen is leading off for one of the highest upside offenses in the MLB, and he makes an outstanding tournament option tonight.
Brandon Nimmo - OF, vs MIN ($3,400)
Nimmo has struggled early this season, but he broke out last night with a double and a home run. He also owns 38% hard-hit and 46% fly ball rates with a 95 mph exit velocity over the last 15 days, suggesting he's seeing the ball better than his numbers represent. Nimmo gets a strong matchup at home against Jake Odorizzi, and he enters this game with 0.07 wOBA and 0.09 ISO differentials against right-handed pitching. He's leading off for the Mets, and his price tag is only going to be this low for so long.
